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Apple Pairings

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Today’s “Tip Tuesday ” is brought to you by one of my favorite snackable fruits! I find myself reaching for an apple a day to help with my sweet cravings. Yes, this baker girl CAN occasionally pass on the sugary treats!

We are all home more often these days, and with that comes more mindless nibbling . Why not elevate the snacking and take the simple apple to the next level. Sit down, use a “real ” plate, and think a little about your favorite flavors and how they will taste with fresh cut apple slices.

The following list is a great of apple ideas you can utilize as a quick , healthy afternoon pick me up, or as a plate of appetizers while cooking dinner. Think BIG and arrange them on a grazing board for your next party (yes, eventually we will all get back to partying!)

Many of these ideas are kid friendly, too. Bring the whole family around the kitchen table and share your favorites!

Kid friendly apple pairings:

Cheddar cheese and green apple

Yogurt, honey and cinnamon with a red apple

Almond butter and green apple

Upscale apple pairings:

Whipped cream cheese and sweet pickle relish with red apple

Prosciutto and grainy mustard with red apple

Berry vinaigrette with green apple

Balsamic vinegar and brown sugar with red apple

Almond butter and apricot preserves with green apple

Spinach and crumbled bacon with green apple

Happy, healthy snacking , foodie friends!

Gina

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies

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Foodie Friends, you know we all have time on our hands these days.

And, you all know how I like to spend my time.

IN THE KITCHEN!

This post is simply me sharing a great recipe with you all… and you do not have to be gluten-free to enjoy it.

Gluten free baking is not something I have on the menu in the Kitchen. That doesn’t mean I won’t try a gluten free recipe and help a friend out with a special treat. I have to say, I haven’t met a gluten free recipe I haven’t liked !

This time, I was just hungry for oatmeal cookies and had a bag of Trader Joe’s Rolled Oats in the pantry. I didn’t notice the words “gluten free” in the recipe, until I looked at the ingredients and noticed something missing….

I read the ingredients list twice and didn’t see any FLOUR listed. HMMM, I thought. Let’s give it a try! They were moist, chewy and oh… a delicious secret ingredient and flavor surprise- peanut butter!

A new family favorite!
Print Recipe

TRADER JOE’S GLUTEN FREE OATMEAL COOKIES

Ingredients

  • 1/4 C butter softened
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 C sugar
  • 3 C Trader Joe’s Rolled Oats
  • 3/4 C brown sugar
  • 8 oz chocolate chips (I added more than what recipe called for! )
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 C peanut butter
  • **original recipe called for 1/2 cup sunflower seeds or chopped nuts , I omitted those but if you like them in your cookies, go for it!

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 . In large bowl, combine the butter and sugars until creamy . Add eggs, vanilla, and baking soda and mix well. Add peanut butter and mix. Now is the time to add your “mix ins” like the chocolate chips, seeds and nuts.
  • Place a teaspoon full of dough about 2 inches apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet (or lightly grease if you don’t have parchment paper).
  • Bake 10-12 mins until lightly brown around edges. Yields about 3-4 dozen cookies, depending on thickness.

So there you have it. Go bake yourself happy!

Gina

“Sprouting Brownie Cupcakes”

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It’s May already foodie friends. MAY. Can you believe it?

I’m excited to move into a new month with new recipes to try. This is the May installment of “A Year of Brownies”, courtesy of Food Network Magazine.

This month was a fun take on a brownie, for several reasons.

First of all, you bake them like a cupcake. Next , you make a decadent chocolate ganache to top them off, and finish off with a layer of crushed Oreos!

The “sprouts” on top of the Oreo crumb “dirt” make the brownie look like a sprouting plant. So, I had to bring out piping bags and decorating tips. Not something I’m used to doing for a brownie, but, oh well… I have time now.

Lastly, I learned a little about a new-to-me baking product called “Black Cocoa Powder”. I got mine on Amazon, and it only took about 4 days to come in. I’m not complaining, either. I was happy to be able to get it all!

Back in October, I stumbled across a recipe for a cool Halloween themed cake. I couldn’t find this specialty cocoa powder in stores or get it delivered in time, so it was a no-go on the cake . I’m happy that I read the May recipe ahead of time, otherwise I would have been out of luck again!

Here’s a quick read all about the product on the TheKitchn.com. It’s meant to give your baked goods an almost “black” color, one that regular cocoa powder just can’t achieve on its own.

Here’s a picture of an unfrosted brownie. What do you think of the color?

Black cocoa is supposed to make your baked goods darker in color…. what do you think?

As for my take on this month’s brownie recipe, I LOVED it. Not a fan of the “sprouts” on top (I’d rather do flowers or leaves), but, hey, I tried!

Sharing is caring, and I shared these with neighbors (and my family) and they loved the recipe as well.

If you’d like to make your own, here’s the link !

These can certainly be made anytime of the year, with no decorations and just the Oreo crumbs. Or, I’d use a different decorating style. Or, maybe I should practice piping “sprouts” lol!

Enjoy! And let me know if you make these!

Next month, get out out your cast iron skillet for a skillet brownie with pecans!

Gina

More Disney Magic coming to the kitchen….

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Happy Hump Day, foodie friends!

Did you happen to catch my Be Live TV chat with Alesia House of I Book Travel For U ? If you didn’t, keep reading!

I’ll be working with Alesia to offer first class Disney travel planning (and sweet Disney treats) to clients looking to book a Disney vacation in the future. Learn more about Alesia and her agency here.

I’m so excited to be the go-to Disney girl on Alesia’s dream travel team!

I look forward to the day when I’ll be able help you plan your next (or maybe FIRST visit) to the most magical place on Earth.

For more info on how I can help, email me at gina@IbooktravelforU.

In the meantime, visit my shared instagram account with my BFF Melissa www.instagram.com/sweetdisneydelights , an account that shares our love of all things Disney World (and a little of Disneyland Paris, as well as the Disney Cruise Line!

As always, the Kitchen is open for all your Disney themed desserts.

Have a great night !

Gina

Junk food and wine pairings, courtesy of the Curly Girls!

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So, we are all still living in a quarantine world, socially distancing, and using Zoom for virtual meetings, family reunions, and happy hours.

This is probably a good time to revisit a past Curly Girls episode where Ann Marie and I paired wines with favorite junk foods. I didn’t have to bake a thing for that one! It was all guilty pleasures taken straight out of our pantries and grocery store snack food aisles! We discussed how these pairings are perfect for date night or movie night IN, fast food dinner at home (what’s faster than wine and a bag of chips?) or a late night guilty pleasure snack.

Curly Girls Junk food and wine pairing suggestions!

Ann Marie and I had a great time coming up with our favorites. I thought I’d share here, since we are all in a wine and “snacky” kind of mood these days.

In no particular order… I present to you, our findings !

The Curly Girls junk food and wine favorites!

Goldfish crackers: Riesling

Cheetos:/Doritos: Pinot Noir

Potato chips: Bubbly!

Funions: Riesling

Slim Jims: Cab Franc or Lambrusco

Chips Ahoy cookies : Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, Rose. Wow, it pairs well with LOTS!

Nutter Butters, Peanut Butter Toasty : Cabernet Sauvignon, Port

Oreos: any cream sherry, like Harvey’s Bristol Cream or a Malbec or Zinfandel

Milk Duds: Zinfandel

Skittles: Riesling

I hope this list is helpful (or at least brings a smile to your face!) If you try any of our suggestions, let me know !

Cheers to today my foodie friends!

Gina

A little Disney-inspired magic in the kitchen today

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Happy Wednesday, foodie friends!

You are going to find a heaping sprinkle of pixie dust in today’s post, as I’ve done not just one but TWO in-home Disney-inspired recipes!

The first is an easy version of the “grey stuff”, a popular dessert served at the Be Our Guest restaurant in Magic Kingdom.

The first time I tried it, I knew I had to figure out how to make it myself!

I’ve made it a few times, but this quarantine time has provided more opportunities to experiment with it. This version can be used as a creamy dip or spread on toast, crackers, cookies, fruit, or pretzels. Those are just my ideas, I’m sure you can find your own favorite dippers.

 You can use also use this Disney-inspired recipe to top cupcakes!

Print Recipe

The “grey stuff”

Course: Main Course

Ingredients

  • 4 oz  butter, softened
  • 4 oz ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 3-4 tbsp milk
  • 2 c  powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 10-12 crushed sandwich cookies (I used Oreo)

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl except crushed cookies. Blend together until smooth and creamy (you can use stand mixer or hand mixer ) .
  • Gently fold in the crush cookies, until blended and grey in color! Serve in bowl as a dip, or keep in container and take out of fridge as a spread.

 

Disney Chocolate mouse
There’s a not-so-hidden Mickey on top of this jar of mousse!

My next Disney-inspired at-home treat is something I call “Mickey’s Magic Mousse” and it’s a cute little mason jar layered with chocolate mousse and Oreo crumbles. The magic is in how fast it disappears!

 

Print Recipe

"Mickey’s Magic Mousse”

Ingredients

  • 3/4 c heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/3 c prepared coffee
  • 1 c semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, add 1/4 cup of the whipping cream, the sugar and the coffee. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved and mixture simmers; remove from heat.
  • Now add the chocolate chips, stir until chips are melted. Add in the vanilla. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until serving time.
  • In the meantime, whip the remaining 1/2 cup whipping cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold into chocolate until blended.
  • To serve, you can layer in a mason jar, alternating layers of mousse and crushed Oreo cookies. Or, serve in bowl and top with crushed cookies. You can add the not-so-hidden Mickey of top by using chocolate chips for ears and a chocolate candy disk for the head.

Check out our last post JUNK FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGS, COURTESY OF THE CURLY GIRLS!

Enjoy!

Have a sweet rest of the week!

Gina

Happy National Cheeseball Day!

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Let’s face it, foodie friends. We are ALL looking for something to celebrate these days. I have never been good about keeping up with “International/National fill-in-the-blank day ” , but times have changed. I have a little more time to look up these facts and share them with you, lol.

I’ve been ready for this day since October, then again at Christmastime. My cheeseball is NOT your typical one though. It has a theme. No surprise, it’s Disney theme.

One of my favorite movies to watch the last three months of the year (every year) is “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. So on Halloween, I break out my “Jack Skellington” cheeseball recipe, and all my Disney peeps at our party rejoice! It’s Jack, in all his cheesy deliciousness!

And since the movie is really about two holidays, I can take this appetizer into the Christmas season as well!

The Jack Skellington cheeseball works from Halloween until Christmas!

Of course you an use the recipe year round (without the face) or , get your Disney on and decorate yours to look like our favorite Pumpkin King!

It easy to whip up, and great for an afternoon snack, party appetizer, or as addition to a cheese platter!

Print Recipe

Jack Skellington Cheeseball

Ingredients

  • 2 8 oz packages of softened cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 c cooked bacon, crumbled or bacon bits (I use bacon bits, and I like to add a little extra. Everything’s better with bacon!)
  • 1/2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
  • Black olives (some whole, sme cut into halves, for the facial features)
  • Parchment or Wax paper for easy molding

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients into a stand mixer (or large mixing bowl with a hand mixer) mix well.
  • Place combined ingredients on your parchment or wax paper, pick up with your hands and form into a ball. Make it as round as possible.
  • Place your cheeseball on a plate or serving platter, and get ready to decorate!
  • Make the details of Jack’s face out of the olives.
  • Place in refrigerator for an hour (covered) to set.
  • Once set, it’s ready to serve. Add tortilla chips or pretzels (I love the holiday shaped ones!) carrots, crackers or slices of baguette around your creation.

Hope you’ll try this around YOUR kitchen table this weekend!

Happy National Cheeseball day, friends!

Gina

Microwave Mug Brownies for One

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Good Morning, foodie friends! If you caught my FaceBook Live yesterday, you saw me make this quick and easy treat.

I adapted the recipe from the March “Brownies in a Year” post that makes four mugs of chocolate brownie goodness.

Microwave Mug Brownie

So, if you are in the mood for a warm mug BROWNIE, make this recipe ! If you are so inclined, top yours with whipped cream, ice cream, Baileys, or Kahlua! Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Microwave Mug Brownie

Ingredients

  • One mug, lightly greased with butter/butter spray

In your mug, add:

  • 1/4 c all purpose flour
  • 1/4 c brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil (I used butter olive oil! )
  • 3 tbsp coffee
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  • Mix together until blended, microwave for 1 minute and 30 secs.

Let me know if you try it, and post pics to social media… dont forget to tag @fromginaskitchen!

Gina

Homemade Vanilla Extract

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Hello foodie friends!

Today’s tip is something I made over on Instagram a few weeks ago. Homemade vanilla is brewing in my pantry, and here’s how I did it:

Print Recipe

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

Ingredients

  • Mason jar large enough to hold 8-16 ounces of alcohol (rum, bourbon, or vodka)
  • Alcohol of choice
  • 5-10 vanilla beans

Instructions

  • For every 8 ounces of alcohol, add 3-5 vanilla beans, split. For my sized jar I used 16 ounces of rum and 10 vanilla beans, ends trimmed off.
  • Completely cover the beans with the alcohol. You can chop up the beans if necessary to fit in the jar.
  • Infuse in mason jar for at least one month. Store jar in cool, dark place , shaking from time to time. You can taste test your alcohol after the 4 weeks, and let infuse longer if you want stronger flavor.
  • You can decant finished product into pretty bottle, and remove the beans OR you can keep the beans in original jar and top off as you use the extract. If you decant, get small bottles and give as gifts! Tie with ribbon and a tag!

You can decant finished product into pretty bottle, and remove the beans OR you can keep the beans in original jar and top off as you use the extract. If you decant, get small bottles and give as gifts! Tie with ribbon and a tag!

My extract is at the halfway mark, so check back for a report on the finished product.

I hope you take some time to try this in YOUR kitchen this week!

Gina

In the Kitchen this week!

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Happy Easter Monday , foodie friends!

I hope you had a blessed Easter! I know for us all it was a very different way of celebrating, and that’s ok. We have to take one day at a time in the “new normal” we are all living in. Take care of each other and reach out virtually to check in with loved ones near and far! And don’t forget to do something fun in YOUR kitchen!

Not sure if you caught me on FB Live last week (Friday to be exact) as a guest of PWC Moms. I demonstrated a few quick and easy ways to decorate Easter cupcakes. But really, these cuties can be considered spring themed as well. Watch here !

Farmers Market Menu:

The City of Manassas Farmers Market will be open this Saturday for pre-order, pre pay orders only. On the menu in the Kitchen this week:

Artisan brownie trays, baked with olive oils from Manassas Olive Oil Company .
Trays are 8×8, will serve 1-12 or more depending on how you cut them!  Each tray is $20 plus tax.  You can ask for traditional chocolate, blood orange, or chipotle cinnamon. 

Spring themed sugar cookie mixes, and make your own brownie mixes. $6.50 each.

Starting next week you can customize the cookie cutters in your kit!

Depending on availability of butter in the area, all-butter pound cakes (new larger size) could be on the menu. $7.50 each 

All Butter Pound Cake
NEW Larger Size !

ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY WEDNESDAY APRIL 15th, and payment received by the 16th. 

The market is open at 10am in the parking lot across from Baldwin Elementary.  Pick-up between 10am-10:30am or by special arrangement.  

Place your order at fromginaskitchen@gmail.com

Have a sweet week, foodie friends!

Gina